National Grid has asked New York State to approve a 15-20% increase in electric and gas rates for next year, which could cost the average family an extra $20 per month on their electric and/or gas bills.
The proposed utility rate increases aren't sitting well with Suffolk County taxpayers.
“It’s no wonder people are bailing out of New York in record numbers. Taxes, inflation, and rate hikes are killing us. It seems that the only people doing well on Long Island are riding the taxpayer gravy train. The rest of us just can’t afford it anymore,” said Bryan Helmac of Center Moriches.
“I didn’t think this could get any worse in this economy. It makes it almost impossible to live here, but I fear it’s going to be everywhere. And there is nothing we can do about it," said Ashley Bozzo of Miller Place.
National Grid filed a plan with the Public Service Commission to “reset” electric and natural gas delivery prices starting in the spring of 2025. The rate increases are part of a proposal National Grid said “would maintain infrastructure, customer service, economic growth, and prepare networks for a transition to clean energy sources."
Many families and small businesses in Center Moriches are struggling to make ends meet. After buying groceries, putting gas in the car, and paying rent, there’s little left over.
Unfortunately for average working people, and thousands of National Grid customers across Suffolk County, money is going to be a touch tighter if New York State approves an almost 20% rate increase the utility wants to implement next year.
If the Public Service Commission grants the increase, a typical family would pay $440 a year more for electricity and gas. The rate hike would increase monthly bills to about $19, or 15% for a residential electricity customer.
The total gas bill increase for residential gas customers would be about $18, or 20% a month.
This translates to $525 million more in electrical delivery revenues (20%) and an increase in gas delivery revenues by $148 million (28%). In 2020 National Grid asked for a $142 million increase in electric and gas delivery revenues, and this year they are asking for $673 million more.
National Grid defended its proposed rate hike, “The power grid requires significant new investments to make way for more electric vehicles, electric-heat buildings, and other elements of New York’s planned transition away from fossil fuels.”
“We know that there is more of a movement toward clean energy in the coming years, we want to make sure that our networks that have served us so well, for 70 years or more, are ready to take on that clean energy and are prepared to take the next steps for customers across upstate New York,” said David Bertola from National Grid.